Surgical Options for Sleep Apnea
Palate Surgery
In mild cases, your healthcare provider would suggest soft palate surgery to treat sleep apnea. This outpatient treatment is also called the Pillar Procedure. Three plastic rods will be placed into the tissue of your soft palate. These rods work by triggering an inflammatory activity in the tissue to stiffen it. When the palate tissue becomes firm, it will reduce the risk of rubbing into the pharynx. As a result, it may help improve snoring and sleep apnea. [2]
Nasal Surgery
Sleep apnea may be caused by an obstruction in certain parts of your nose, such as the turbinates, septum, or nasal valve. Nasal surgery would help clear the blockage in the airways and improve the symptoms. Turbinate reduction and septoplasty are the two most common nasal surgeries for people with sleep apnea. Both are outpatient procedures. They are basically safe and work by extending the turbinates or septum, making it easier for air to flow through them. [3]
